Cambridge City have appointed Robbie Nightingale as their new manager following the departure of Dan Gleeson.

The Lilywhites announced the departure of Gleeson on Wednesday morning and moved swiftly to appoint his replacement, with Nightingale leaving Soham Town Rangers to take up the position at the Evo-Stik League Southern, Premier Division club where he made over 350 appearances as a player.

Nightingale said: “I am absolutely delighted to be given this opportunity to come back and manage a team who I not only played for but who I support too.

“I was even a mascot many years ago so to now be manager is an amazing feeling.

“Therefore, I know what it means to be a fan and a player for this club and I am absolutely determined to bring the good times back to Cambridge City.

“However, right now we have to deal with the current situation and that means improving our league position.

“I know it looks bleak but I am confident we can stay up.

“When Dave Theobald and I were appointed at Soham the team were several points adrift, but we stayed up so I know what is needed to get this right.

“It will inevitably mean investing in new playing personnel but they must be players who are up for the challenge ahead and take pride in wearing the City shirt.

“Having seen the team in recent weeks I know we need to start scoring goals and creating more chances so a striker and investment in the wide areas is something that will be of a priority."

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Nightingale, who captained the side that played in the last first-team game at Milton Road in April 2013, said: “This club has a long and proud history.

“At the moment the club is going through a bad patch but we all need to pull together.

“There are fans out there who for whatever reason have deserted the club but if we are going rise to this challenge we need everyone to pull together and for supporters to come back to the club starting on Saturday when we entertain Merthyr.

Nightingale also had a message for his former club where he had been in charge with Theobald since October last year and leaves them 15th in the Ryman League, North Division.

He said: “I would like to pay tribute to everyone at Soham and thank them for giving me the opportunity at my first job in management.

“The support I have had from the chairman, board, playing and coaching staff as well as the fans has been superb.”

City chairman Kevin Satchell was pleased to welcome Nightingale back to City.

He said :“The board felt it was essential to get a replacement for Dan Gleeson in quickly, and we believe that Robbie has a number of qualities that he can bring to the club that will hopefully see an upturn in results.

“He knows the club and what it means to the supporters and is fully committed to Cambridge City.

“He has done a good job with Soham and I know he is absolutely determined to do everything he can to transform the fortunes of this club.”